Who is Eligible
A seriously disabled veteran who has received federal financial assistance for the purchase of a vehicle under Title 38, U.S. Code, Sections 3901–3904 is eligible for a DV plate and exemption from annual registration fees.
Note: Eligibility is tied to the specific vehicle that received federal funding, not to the veteran’s designation.
Important Eligibility Details
- The DV plate and exemption from annual registration fees are only valid for the vehicle that received federal funding.
- For each vehicle registered with a DV plate, the following must be submitted at the time of initial registration:
- A copy of the DD214 form
- Documentation from the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs confirming federal funding for the vehicle
- DV plates cannot be automatically transferred to a replacement vehicle. New documentation is required for each vehicle.
- Adaptive equipment is not covered under Iowa statute unless it is included in the vehicle’s purchase price.
Applicability of Statute
Under Iowa Code section 321.105(5), only vehicles that meet the above eligibility criteria will qualify for a DV plate.
Use for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Parking
- The DV plate does not authorize parking in PWD spaces.
- Veterans may apply for:
- A PWD sticker (for use in Iowa only)
- A standard PWD placard (recommended for out-of-state travel due to reciprocity agreements)
Reminder: Neither the DV plate nor the PWD sticker is valid for PWD parking in other states.
Parking Waiver
Effective July 1, 2022, vehicles displaying a DV plate may park free of charge in any city-owned or operated parking lot or metered space in Iowa.
Cities cannot enforce parking fees at these locations.
For questions about specific parking locations or fee waivers, please contact the local city government.
How to Apply
Submit the following to your county treasurer’s office:
- A copy of your DD214
- Documentation from the Veterans Administration confirming federal funding for the vehicle
The Iowa DOT will review your documents and, if approved, will order your DV plate.
Once ready, the plate will be sent to your county treasurer’s office for issuance. Any existing plate on the vehicle must be returned to the county treasurer’s office before the DV plate can be issued.
Processing Time: Approximately 3-6 weeks